Super Blackhawk grip frame

Welcome to the Leverguns.Com Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here ... politely.

Moderators: AmBraCol, Hobie

Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.

Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Post Reply
User avatar
Scott Tschirhart
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Years ago I shot the snot out of a number of Ruger Super Blackhawks putting up with the square back trigger guard thumping my second finger and trying to shoot well through the pain. I know it was stupid.

I finally got tired of hurting myself and just avoided the SBH and going to the Bisley grip frame.

Last year I found an old model Blackhawk in .45 Colt with a SBH frame on it. It didn’t thump me no matter what I shot through it. So I decided to give the SBH another try. I found a used stainless model (if I’m going to bleed on it, at least cleaning would be easy).

This weekend I shot the gun with full house loads and without injury. I don’t know how to explain it but I didn’t get my knuckle thumped, not even once. A pleasant surprise.
User avatar
GunnyMack
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9938
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:57 am
Location: Not where I want to be!

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by GunnyMack »

Sounds like your 'social finger ' has lost weight! :lol:
I had a NM years ago and it would rap me on occasion. My OM 41 doesn't hit. I put a brass frame on it and boy do I like the added weight- until it's on my hip in a holster!
My Single Six 44 special is a real pussycat as I don't hot rod it.
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
Walt
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: NM

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Walt »

Gunny, I think you mean Blackhawk .44 spl; the Single Six is a .22. I have a couple of 5.5" Flattop .44 spls as well. One is a regular "plowhandle" and the other is a Bisley frame. I love 'em both.
User avatar
Old Savage
Posting leader...
Posts: 16688
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:43 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Old Savage »

He made a custom 44 Single Six.
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...

Image
User avatar
Griff
Posting leader...
Posts: 20803
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:56 pm
Location: OH MY GAWD they installed a STOP light!!!

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Griff »

Scott Tschirhart wrote: Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:58 amThis weekend I shot the gun with full house loads and without injury. I don’t know how to explain it but I didn’t get my knuckle thumped, not even once. A pleasant surprise.
If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say you've changed your grip slightly. As long as I paid attention to how I gripped the SBH, it was fine, but if I gripped it like I hold a Colt SAA, it bit my knuckle every time! Actually, I'm glad I got rid of it, haven't missed it for a single day!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93

There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
User avatar
GunnyMack
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9938
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:57 am
Location: Not where I want to be!

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by GunnyMack »

Walt wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2023 9:57 pm Gunny, I think you mean Blackhawk .44 spl; the Single Six is a .22. I have a couple of 5.5" Flattop .44 spls as well. One is a regular "plowhandle" and the other is a Bisley frame. I love 'em both.
No Walt I have a 44 Special Single Six. It started out as a 32 H& R that was the donor frame. New cylinder , fit a new barrel and poof a one of a kind single six was born. It became my fishing vest gun while I lived in CO while attending gunsmith school. It was a brain storm John Gallagher and I had. John went on to making a few 41s on the S.S. frame but as far as I know mine is the only 44 special.
May John RIP.
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
Walt
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: NM

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Walt »

My mistake, Gunny. Very cool! Is it a five shot or a six? I imagine you've posted pictures of it in the past. If it has been a while, would you send out another? Thanks!
User avatar
JimT
Shootist
Posts: 5468
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:04 pm

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by JimT »

Elmer maintained that "Super Blackhawk" was a poor name for the gun and that it should have been called the "Dragoon" which fit as far as I am concerned. For me the grip is much too large and too awkward. If I have any other single action grip than the Colt SAA/Ruger XR3 grip it is the Bisley grip. That's one of the wonderful thing about humans .. we are all different in some ways and have enough different preferences to make life really colorful.
User avatar
GunnyMack
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9938
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:57 am
Location: Not where I want to be!

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by GunnyMack »

5 shot, actually I had to make 2 cylinders as the first one the chambers were too thin!
20210224_174024.jpg
20210224_173834.jpg
20210224_173738.jpg
20210224_173712.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
Walt
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: NM

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Walt »

Thanks for the pictures, Gunny! That's a very unique revolver indeed.
User avatar
GunnyMack
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9938
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:57 am
Location: Not where I want to be!

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by GunnyMack »

It took some work for sure Walt.
Had to open the frame some, loading gate is original but the cutout in the frame had to grow too. Being a 5 shot the timing was trial and error until it worked.
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
User avatar
Scott Tschirhart
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

That’s some really interesting work and a cool little five gun!
Walt
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: NM

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Walt »

I recently dug through my shooting odds and ends and found a pair of shooting gloves I'd bought years ago. They are sold by a company called Hatch, they're thin leather and have double layers in the web of the thumb and also on the knuckle of the middle finger that gets rapped by the trigger guard of the SBH and other heavy-recoiling revolvers.
User avatar
GunnyMack
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9938
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:57 am
Location: Not where I want to be!

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by GunnyMack »

Thanks Scott.
I have a pair of those gloves, Cabelas I think. I found them uncomfortable to shoot with. But I also hate shooting with gloves on unless it's really cold !
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
765x53
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1043
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:12 pm
Location: Bushwhacker Capitol, Missouri

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by 765x53 »

I use The fingerless right-hand "PAST" brand occasionally for long magnum shooting sessions.
I also have a left-hand model for easing hand shock from my longbow. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1125191321
User avatar
Scott Tschirhart
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I’ve never been able to get comfortable with shooting gloves. But I know that Lynn Thompson shoots a .454 and won’t shoot it without them. They work, but I always seem to use a sixgun out of convenience when something appears that needs shooting.
User avatar
2ndovc
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 9302
Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:59 am
Location: OH, South Shore of Lake Erie

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by 2ndovc »

I can't shoot with gloves on either. I've been shooting an OM Super BH for decades without an issue. The one that bangs me up is my three screw Flat Top. I shot about 20 rounds through it when I first bought it and it took all summer for the bruised knuckles to heal. I find the new model SBH frame too short to shoot comfortably either. Bisleys are a whole different animal. I haven't fired one, regardless of caliber to be uncomfortable to shoot. Like Jim said, every hand is different, the fun part is finding one that fits.

jb 8)
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"


" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
piller
Posting leader...
Posts: 15188
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:49 pm
Location: South of Dallas

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by piller »

Every hand is indeed different. That is part of the reason why there are so many aftermarket stocks made. Colt grips have always felt uncomfortable to me. I won't own a Colt because they are uncomfortable. Passed up a chance in the 90s on a Python for $500 in really good shape. No sense buying a Ferrari if you cannot fit in it to drive it.
D. Brian Casady
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
User avatar
Scott Tschirhart
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I like the stag.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Walt
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: NM

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Walt »

When I bought my first SBH decades ago, I must have tried out most of the aftermarket grips available at the time. There were rubber grips, large and small wooden grips. Most changed the profile of the originals. I finally saw the light and went back to either the originals or at least ones with the same profile. I appreciate the original design....works for me!
User avatar
Scott Tschirhart
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I was out shooting this morning. Still no issues and it’s just right for my big hands.
rossim92
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1416
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:42 am
Location: mechanicsville, md.

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by rossim92 »

has your hands gotten fatter or thinner over time? I think that has a bit to with the "bite" you get with certain frames.
Rossi 92 .357 lever , and a cz pcr 9mm
Henry .22 lever, Remington speedmaster 552 .22 lr
Marlin Glenfield .22 boltaction
gforce 12ga semi
Taylor's Tactical 1911 A1 FS in .45acp
winchester 1873 44.40
Marlin 336W .30.30
beeman sportsman rs2 dual caliber pellet rifle
henry .22 magnum pumpaction/octagon barrel
stag 5.56 m4 with reddot
User avatar
Scott Tschirhart
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I don’t know. Probably my hands are much stronger than they were in those days. But I don’t think they have become any bigger. Certainly not smaller
User avatar
AmBraCol
Webservant
Posts: 3651
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:12 am
Location: The Center of God's Grace
Contact:

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by AmBraCol »

Funny how hands differ. Most folks seem to love the Ruger Bisley grip type. That's the one that tends to rap my knuckle. Go figure. I don't recall having that issue with my Vaquero, nor the few times I've shot the "dragoon" style SBH, but the Bisley on my SH 25th anniversary 44 spl raps my knuckle during extended sessions with the good ol Skeeter load. Not bad, never broke skin, but I find it a bit distracting.
Paul - in Pereira


"He is the best friend of American liberty who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion." -- John Witherspoon

http://www.paulmoreland.com
http://www.pistolpackingpreachers.us
http://www.precisionandina.com
Walt
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: NM

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Walt »

I believe the frame size on the Bisley .44 Special is different than the .44 mag/.45 Bisleys. I once ordered a set of Ruger factory grips for one of my large frame Bisleys but it didn't fit; however it fit my .44 Spl flattop Bisley perfectly. Ruger's website didn't specify a difference.
User avatar
Scott Tschirhart
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: Super Blackhawk grip frame

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

AmBraCol wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2023 7:46 am Funny how hands differ. Most folks seem to love the Ruger Bisley grip type. That's the one that tends to rap my knuckle. Go figure. I don't recall having that issue with my Vaquero, nor the few times I've shot the "dragoon" style SBH, but the Bisley on my SH 25th anniversary 44 spl raps my knuckle during extended sessions with the good ol Skeeter load. Not bad, never broke skin, but I find it a bit distracting.
Same thing here.
Post Reply